Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective May 31, 2006, due to her service-connected disabilities meeting the regulatory requirements for TDIU. Her combined rating at that time was 80 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the severance of this condition was improper. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin disorder, including dermatitis and dermatophytosis, is related to his military service. The low back disability is also found to be related to his service. Benign prostatic hypertrophy is not shown to be attributable to active service. Chronic bilateral knee disability was not manifest in service or within one year of separation therefrom, and is not shown to be attributable to active service.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the statutory requirements for a TDIU claim. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and further examination.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and associated conditions, as well as erectile dysfunction with special monthly compensation on account of loss of use of a creative organ, was improper.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased evaluations of PTSD, coronary artery disease, and tinea pedis with onychomycosis.

The Board granted an initial 50 percent disability rating for the service-connected tinea pedis and tinea cruris, finding that the Veteran's symptoms met the criteria for a 50 percent rating under the old version of the regulations.

The Veteran's acne with scars of the face, arms, back, and hands was granted a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 5, 2007, and in excess of 60 percent from that date. The service connection is determined to be direct.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dyshidrotic eczema was granted with an effective date of July 3, 1996. The issue of hepatitis C is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's appeal for vocational rehabilitation training has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea cruris and tinea pedis have been rated at 10 percent since May 26, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin conditions, including eczema and xerosis, are related to his service in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal because his substantive appeal was not timely filed within one year of the August 2006 rating decision.

The Veteran's depression is found to be secondary to his service-connected skin condition. The Veteran's cystic acne and acne vulgaris are currently rated at 30 percent, but the appeal for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, including as secondary to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's neurodermatitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule, as it affects less than 5 percent of his entire body or exposed areas and has not required intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs during a 12-month period.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis and pes planus, finding that the Veteran had these conditions during his active duty. The Board denied service connection for disabilities of the knees, legs, lumbar spine, and cervical spine due to lack of evidence showing an increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis with keratosis pilaris and chronic urticaria are currently rated at 10 percent, effective from April 1977. The issues of increased PTSD rating and vocational rehabilitation training were also addressed.

The Veteran's fungal condition of the feet, diagnosed as tinea pedis and onychomycosis, affects less than one percent of his total body surface and does not require systemic therapy. The criteria for an initial compensable disability rating have not been met.